Michelangelo Gasparini

Michelangelo Gasparini (c. 1670 – c. 1732) was an Italian composer, singer, and teacher, known also as the younger brother of Francesco Gasparini. Born in Lucca, he likely studied under Giovanni Legrenzi in Venice, where he appears to have spent the majority of his career. He was a prominent figure in the musical life of Venice during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Gasparini's career as a performer was centered at the choir of St. Mark's Basilica. He sang as a soprano and later as an alto from August 1687 to December 1689, and again from September 1691 until his death in 1732. In 1689, he was one of the founding members of the Society of Saint Cecilia in Venice, serving as the society's "prior" in 1709. He established a significant reputation as a singing teacher, with the renowned Faustina Bordoni among his students, a testament to his deep understanding of vocal art and the bel canto tradition.

His creative output combined his duties in one of Italy's major chapels with the composition of operas and pedagogy. His operatic works were typical of the Venetian school of that period and were oriented toward public success. This is evidenced by the numerous revivals of his most famous opera, "Amore e maestà" (Love and Majesty), often performed under the title "Arsace," on various stages throughout Italy. Other notable works include "Il principe selvaggio," "Rodomonte sdegnato," and the oratorio "Santa Vittoria."

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